Line-clinometer.



E. H. HOLDEN.

LINE GLINOMETER.

APPLICATION rmm 11.11.13, 1909.

957,059. Patented May 3, 1910.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

WITNESSES INVENTOR ZdzuazvZJZI/faldew Mam I W A TTORNE Y8 E. H. HOLDEN. LINE CLINOMETER.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.13, 1909.

' Patented May 3, 1910.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

ATTORNEYS WITNESSES E. H. HOLDEN. LINE GLINOMETBR.

APPLIOATION FILED JAN. 13, 1909.

Patnted May 3, 1910.

WITNESSES Arron/v; rs

\NDREW B GRANAM co. wuw-wnounnniws wnsmmom D c EDWARD HENRY HOLDEN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

LINE-CLINOMETER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed January 13, 1909.

Patented May 3, 1910.

Serial No. 472,137.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD H. HOLDEN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of New York, borough of the Bronx, in the county and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Line-Olinometer, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to clinometers of a kind suitable for use in connection with or without a tape measure, for purposes of compiling and applying data relating to slight differences in altitude.

More particularly stated, my invention comprehends a line clinometer provided with a telescope and a level associated therewith, the telescope being adapted to turn in a substantially vertical plane, and means including a Vernier and a level for measuring the extent of inclination of the telescope from a given real or imaginary line.

My invention further relates to means for adjusting certain parts associated with the telescope and serving as a basis for reckoning the degree of inclination of the same. My invention also relates to the provision of a platform associated with the telescope and supporting the same, the platform being adjustable relatively to its-own support in a substantially horizontal plane, the degree of adjustment being exceedingly delicate.

, In addition my invention comprises an eecentric for supporting a tape measure, the eccentric being controllable by hand for the purpose of raising and lowering the tape by infinitesimally small distances, within limits allowed by the construction of the instrument, and below the optical axis of the same. My invention further embraces improvements relating to measuring instruments and intended to improve the general efficiency of the same.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved line clinometer complete; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary elevation representing the mechanism shown in the middle portion of Fig. 1 but viewed from the reverse side thereof; Fig. 3 is a substantially central vertical section through the instrument, on the broken line 33 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section upon the line 4-4 of Fig. 3, looking in the direction of the arrows, and showing a platform adjustable within narrow limits in a horizontal plane; Fig. 5 is a horizontal section upon the line 5-5 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows, and showing more particularly certain adjustments controllable by hand; Fig. 6 is a fragmentary section upon the line 66 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the'arrow, and showing a portion of the means for adjusting the inner sector; and Fig. 7 is a fragmentary horizontal section upon the line 77 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows, and showing a clamp by aid of which one of the sectors is held in various predetermined positions.

A plate 8, which may be the table of an ordinary tripod, supports the weight of most of the working parts. J ournalcd upon the plate 8 is a rockin stem 9 and secured upon this stem is a spi or 10. Screws 11 extend through this spider and are used for adjusting the stem 9 relatively to the plate 8. A clamping collar is shown at 12 and is controllable by a. screw 13. At 14: is another clamping screw mounted upon the spider 10. Secured rigidly upon the top of the stem 9 is a slideway 15, and movably mounted upon the same is a slide 16. A graduated plate 17 is secured upon one edge of the slideway 15 and another graduated plate 18 is mounted upon one edge of the slide 16. These graduated plates 17, 18 together constitute (see Fig. 2) a Vernier, in order that very slight variations in the relative positions of the slide 16 and slideway 15 may be made apparent to the eye of the observer.

A wearing strip 19 (see Fig. 3) is employed for taking up wear between the slide and slideway so as to avoid lost motion between these parts. A level 20 carried by a bracket 21 is supported by the slide 16, as will be understood from Fig. 4-. This level is employed for the pur ose of leveling the slide 16, and is provi ed with adjusting screws 22. A screw 24 (see Fig. 4c) is provided with a milled head 23 and is connected with the slide 16, and also with the slideway 15. For this purpose the slideway 15 is provided with a lug 25 through which the screw 24 extends.

Mounted rigidly upon the slide 16 is a plate 26 and secured upon this plate is a center post 27 provided with a mark 28 or graduation, indicating the central point of face may be raised or lowered within short limits relatively to the top of the center post 27 and of the graduation 28.

In certain kmds of work it is desirable to rest a tape measure directly upon the upper surface of the eccentric 31 and to have the upper surface of the tape measure coincide with the level of the top of the center post,

so that the graduation of the tape measure can be brought into close proximity with the graduation or mark 28. The operator, by resting the tape measure upon the eccentric and turningthe eccentric by hand until the upper surface of the tape measure is at a satisfactory level may then, by turning the set nut, clamp the eccentric rigidly in position.

The screw 24 (Fig. 4) enables the index post 27 to be brought into a position such that the index mark 28 shall be in coincidence with the end graduation of the measuring tape. Thus the instrument'acts as a means of holding the tape lengths as the measurement of the line proceeds, thereby avoiding the use of stakes or plumb rods.

Integral with the plate 26 and extending upwardly therefrom are posts 33, which merge together at their tops and thus constitute a type of archway. Integral with these posts are bearings 34, 35, which support a rocking shaft 36. Balanced upon the shaft 36 and rigid in relation to the same is a beam 37 provided centrally with a collar 37 through which the shaft extends. A

telescope 38 is supported by aid of the beam 37 and is rigid relatively to the shaft 36. By turning the shaft 36 the telescope 38 may be tilted.

Mounted directly upon the telescope 38 is a target 39 having generally an elliptical form, as will be understood from Fig. 3. The center of the telescope is exactly coaxial with the center of the target. The purpose of this arrangement is to bring the line of sight of the telescope directly into coincidence with the line of sight through the target. It frequently happens that two operators, each having one of the instru ments now under discussion, may direct their telescopes toward each other. In this event the line of sight through one telescope coincides directly with the line of sight through the center of the target mounted upon the other telescope. Hence, the two lines of sight through the two telescopes coincide exactly in position.

'ment avoids the necessity for making any allowance between the relative positions of a target and a telescope when mounted upon the same stand or tripod.

In order to fit the target 39 properly in position it is provided with a collar 40 which completely encircles the body of the telescope, as will be understood from Fig. 1. Disposed immediately below the telescope. 38 and adapted to tilt therewith is a level 41 which is used in relations where it is desirable for the telescope to be brought to an exact level. Mounted upon the shaft 36 and depending therefrom is a sector 42 which is provided with a cross bar 42*. The lower edge of the sector '42 is provided with an arcuate portion 43 upon which is mounted an arcuate graduated plate 44. A post 45 is mounted upon the cross bar 42*. A reading glass 46 is mounted upon a stem 47, the latter being journaled upon a bracket 47 by aid of a pivot 48, and immediately below this pivot is a stop pin 49 for limiting the travel of the stem 47 This enables the reading glass 46 to be folded, or at least bent over to some extent, out of the way. Another sector 50 is mounted upon the shaft 36 but is connected rigidly to the same by aid of a plate 51, as will be understood from Fig. 3. The sector 50 isprovided with a cross bar 50 which is integral with it. The sector 50 adjacent to its lower edge is provided with 'an arcuate portion 52 and mounted upon the latter is an arcuate graduated plate 53. The graduated plates 44, 53

together constitute a vernier and enable the V operator to detect comparatively small variations in the relative positions of the sectors 52, 50.

The reading glass 46 is normally in alinement with the graduation 28 carried upon the center post 27 and with the graduations upon the measuring tape whenever this tape rests upon the eccentric 31. is provided with adjusting screws 54, 55, the latter extending through lugs 56, 57, carried by the sector 42 and integral with it. The inner ends of the screws 54, 55 are adapted to engage the posts 33 so that by adjusting the screws 54, 55 by hand the posts 33. The level 58 is provided with adjusting screws 59. After the plate 16 is indicated by the relative positions of the arcuate graduated plates 44, 53 constituting a vernier. The operator is thus enabled to This arrangeread off from this vernier any degree of.

The sector 42 7 sector 42 may be adjusted relatively to the inclination of his telescope 38 from a true horizontal level, within the limits of the instrument. In doing this, care must be used that the sector 42 is properly adjusted relatively to the position of the plate 26. By adjusting the screws 54, 55 and consequently adjusting the position of the sector 42 relatively to the posts 33, the sector 42, carrying the level 58, is now, for the moment, immovable relatively to the posts 33. That is to say, the level 58 is rigid in relation to the sector 42 and this sector is, for the moment, rigid relatively to the posts 33 so that whenever the level 58 is exactly horizontal the telescope'38 is also exactly horizontal, provided the levels 58 and 41 are in adjustment, and that the Vernier reads zero.

The level 58 may therefore be used directly for leveling the telescope, and this is done in instances where quickness is of more importance than accuracy. Suppose, however, that it be desired to secure a much finer adjustment in determining the exact horizontal position of the level 58 and of the telescope 38. For this purpose the screws 54, 55 are turned so as to loosen the sector 42 relatively to the post 33. The sector 42 is now gently rocked or adjusted so that the level 58 becomes exactly horizontal.

The level 58 being mounted upon lugs 60, and consequently carried directly by the sector 42, necessitates that the sector 42 must take up a definite position whenever the level 58 becomes exactly horizontal. This result having been attained, the screws 54, 55 are turned carefully so as to grip the posts 33, the operator meanwhile, of course, watching the level 58 and so manipulating the screws 54, 55 that when the sector 42 becomes rigid relatively to the post 33, the level 58 is still maintained in its exact horizontal position. This being done, it matters not whether the posts 33 are strictly vertical, or whether the plate 16 is strictly horizontal. The adjustment of the sector 42, by aid of the level 58, gives this sector a much higher degree of refinement as regards the exactness of its position than could ordinarily be attained if the level 58 were maintained at all times rigid relatively to the posts 33. The sector 42 having thus been fixed properly in position, the telescope 38 and its accompanying parts are now tilted until the telescope is in proper alinement with the distant target or other object upon which it is trained, and the operator, by noticing the condition of the arcuate Vernier, is enabled to make his angle reading. In many instances, however, it is desirable, instead of turning the telescope by hand, to secure a much finer adjustment of the telescope by aid of delicate mechanism for this purpose. Hence, I mount upon the sector 50, by means of a screw 69, a bracket 61, which forms a socket for a ball 62, which is bored smooth (see Fig. 5). Extending through the ball 62 is a threaded rod 63, and fitted to turn upon one end of this rod is a milled head 64.

\Vhenever it is desired to adjust the position of the sector 42 relatively to the sector 50, the nut 66 is loosened and the rod 63 moved quickly to the right or left, the nut 66 being again tightened. This adjustment, however, is not very accurate, and in order to make the adjustment finer, the milled head 64 is turned so that the sector 42 is moved slightly in relation to the rod 63, the latter being now stationary. A clamp 65 engages the. rod 63 for the purpose of holding the same. This clamp 65 is controllable by a milled nut 66 which fits upon a threaded stem 67 carried by the cross bar 50 of the sector 50. By turning the milled nut 66 the clamp 65 securely grips the rod 63. A screw 50 holds the screw 67 upon the cross bar 50, as will be understood from Fig. 7. The ball 62 is engaged by a second socket 68, the lattcr being secured in position by aid of a screw 70. The sector 42 being fixed in posi tion by aid of the screws 54, 55, as above dc scribed, the operator, by turning the milled head 64, and at the same time pressing it gently against the ball 62, may adjust the sector 50 relatively to the sector 42, the refinement of this adjustment being very great and being indicated by the arcuate Vernier, consisting of the parts 44 and 53.

From the foregoing description, the operation of my device will be readily understood. It can be employed for many purposes which have heretofore been accomplished by aid of a theodolite, and it may be employed in various other relations as a elinometer or as an instrument for measuring very delicate angles, locating levels and gradients, establishing lines and for many purposes known to surveyors.

A very important application of the instrument is to use it as a portable tripod for holding tape lengths, as well as giving line and gradient for the same.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. The combination of a member normally fixed in position, a slide movable relatively to said member, a telescope mounted upon said slide and adapted to turn in a substantially vertical plane, means controllable at will for moving said slide relatively to said fixed member so as to shift the position of said telescope bodily in relation to said member normally fixed in position, means for indicating the position of said slide relatively to said fixed member, and mechanism for indicating the degree of inclination of said telescope from a predetermined position.

2. The combination of a fixed member, a

same being connected With said shaft and disposed adjacent to said first-mentioned sector, and indicating mechanism for disclosing the relative positions of said sectors.

3. The combination of a fixed member, a

slide movable relatively to the same, a

bracket mounted upon said slide, a sector supported by said bracket and adapted to turn relatively to the same, another sector supported by said bracket and likewise adapted to turn relatively thereto, means controllable at Will for temporarily fixing the position of one of said sectors relatively to said fixed member, and means for indicating the relative positions of the two sectors.

4. The combination of a fixed member, a slide movable relatively to the same, a bracket carried by said slide, a plurality of sectors journaled relatively to said bracket and movable independently of each other, a reading glass, mechanism mounted upon one of said sectors for supporting said read ing glass, an index mark carried by said slide and adapted to be observed through said reading glass, and means for fixing the sector carrying said reading glass.

5. The combination of a fixed member, a slide movable relatively to the same, a bracket mounted upon said slide, a shaft supported by said bracket, a plurality of sectors mounted upon said shaft and movable relatively to each other, means controllable at Will for temporarily securing one of said sectors in a definite position relatively to said slide, and indicating mechanism for disclosing the relative positions of the two sectors.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

EDWVARD HENRY HOLDEN.

Vitnesses DAVID L. l/VOODALL, Jr., DAVID Lnwrs \VooDALL. 

